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GALLBLADDER ISSUES NOT SHOWING ON ULTRASOUND

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tiffany_06078
tiffany_06078

Hi I'm 32, and about 4 months ago I had a crazy vomiting attack from an antibiotic, for sinusitis. I was hospitalized, and the weeks following everything got worse. My liver and spleen we're swelling out of my rib cage, terrible gas and distention in my upper abdomen, it looked like and felt like an alien trying to get out. I have had a fever everyday,a headache everyday, diarrhea everyday,blood in my urine, extreme upper right quadrant pain that radiates to flank and shoulder blade, dizzy spells,shivering spells,chills,kidneys will spasm and twitch, pain now radiates into left side as well, still major distention, enlarged papillae on back of tongue, no sleep, the pain in my abdomen feels like I have been punched or the wind knocked out of me. Its worse when I eat, I have lost 25 pounds and counting because everything I eat hurts me. I have a history of "ibs" which I put in quotes because it's a generic label they gave me when they couldn't find a cause. I have gallbladder disease in my family as well. The everyday fever and blood in my urine is the scariest, they have done blood work numerous times, and ultrasound, found nothing. I have a ct scan scheduled in a day, but I'm thinking I need the hida test. Unfortunately my doctors do this "preventative care" crap where they won't remove anything without a test result supporting it. What about all my symptoms that are getting worse and more intense by the day?! The only solace I have found is in forums like this, where I realized I am not alone. I'm frustrated, in pain and my quality of life is going down the toilet. Any suggestions,comments,answers you received would be greatly appreciated.

0 likes, 10 replies

10 Replies

  • lynda20916
    lynda20916 tiffany_06078

    Posted

    Hi, Tiffany, sorry to learn you're having so many problems!  I don't know if you're in the UK or the US, but in either case, I'd take myself to A&E or to the ER.  You don't have to be nice, this is your health!  Tell them you're in pain and when they ask you how much, say 1-10, tell them 10 and a half! This is serious.  The ultrasound may not reveal gallstones, but the CT scan should. If you're only seeing a general practitioner, it appears to me that you need to see a consultant who knows what they're doing or a gastroenterologist.  In the US you can demand a referral--don't know about the UK.  As for the IBS, you are correct, that's a general diagnosis when they can't figure out what's actually wrong.  I had it too, but the reason I had it was that I had gallstones!   Hang in there and let us know how you do.  Best of luck!     
    • tiffany_06078
      tiffany_06078 lynda20916

      Posted

      THANKS Lynda, I live in the u.s in Colorado and I have Medicaid, uggh. So far though it's not Medicaid that has prolonged the situation,it's that damn preventative medicine technique. I have been to the E.R about six times in the last few months, in fact just yesterday. The dizzy spells we're weird because it wasn't the room spinning, it was like I had and still have a spinning top inside my body. My husband can actually see me rotate,it's subtle but visible. The problem with the e.r is they only treat the symptoms that prompted your visit that day, so at this point, I feel like it's pointless unfortunately. Their discharge instructions on "u should return to e.r if..." are pointless for me because I already have them, fever,pain,chills,shakes,dizzy,chronic diarrhea etc. Its so frustrating! I need to find out how or if I can with Medicaid talk to a specialist or something. I feel like it's crazy the amounts of people I've read about that have dealt with these symptoms for ever before they are diagnosed. I know it sounds dramatic but I feel like I'm slowly dying. U know at what point can I just say, can't u just Yank the sucker out regardless of test results?! I'm trying to avoid unnecessary radiation if I don't have to, I really think I need the hida test. What did you end up doing with your gallbladder? Do all my symptoms sound like what you had? Do you feel better? God I hope you do because this is pure hell. To top it off, I nanny 13 hours a day, and cannot afford to pass out at work or afford to miss it, or even lose it! I'm sorry I'm rattling on, I'm just so excited someone replied to me, I feel alone and so frustrated. Thank you so much Lynda for reading my novel : )
  • lisa15321
    lisa15321 tiffany_06078

    Posted

    Hi Tiffany Im in the uk , your symptoms sound a lot like mine I would wake in the morning soaked with sweat and put it down to a new memory foam mattress lol .I had pain under my right breast for about 8 years and was told that it was athritis and was reffered for a breast scan obviously nothing was found, after months of putting up with the worsening pain went back to doctors last oct , however because we have a waiting list in uk was waiting for scan in dec so as I have private medical ins where I work I used it .I had a ultrsound on the 17th of dec and was kept in hospital overnight and given IV antibiotics on the 7th of jan had my gallbladder removed as I had a large stone stuck in the bile duct.I had also had some complications from too many antibiotics for a tooth abccess a few months before so you ve got me thinking now it that had made the issue worse , all the other things dizziness and a strange lightheaded feeling was also a issue for me . Now that Ive had the surgery there are a lot of things I cant eat but in general I feel loads better . Hope this helps and good luck x
    • tiffany_06078
      tiffany_06078 lisa15321

      Posted

      Wow Lisa that's a long time to feel this way. I'm so happy that you feel better now that it's been removed. I don't understand why it's so hard for doctors to diagnose gallbladder issues!!! The e.r doc told me my gallbladder should be removed just based on symptoms alone. I'm convinced that those antibiotics played a role in this whole thing. I have also noticed gluten gives me issues too. Thank u for sharing ur story with me, the weird dizziness has freaked me out, so it's comforting to know others have experienced this. I also have all this mucus in my left side that I can feel, in fact it just came out in my pee, sorry I know that's gross,but did u ever have an g.i issues associated with ur symptoms? I wish the ultrasound found something so this could be over!!!!
    • lynda20916
      lynda20916 tiffany_06078

      Posted

      Hi, Tiffany, you're welcome.  It sounds to me as if you're really ill and ready to go crazy.  I know it's crazy making.  The problem is that the gastric system is so interdependent.  You might have gluten intolerance, too, but first things first.  Remember to keep yourself hydrated, drink lots of water and unsweetened tea.  It seems to me that your entire gastro system is inflamed.  The next time you go to the ER, just let it all hang out, dignity is no help to you if you're dying.  Sometimes the problem with being a "good patient" is that they can ignore you, pat you on the head and send you home.  Tell them you're in horrible pain. That might shake  some peaches off the trees! Good luck!
  • debbie75601
    debbie75601 tiffany_06078

    Posted

    I had a lot of your symptoms, started in January. Went to ER for chest pains because of it, and was mainly treated for that, but they did diagnose me with Gerd and gallstones. I had my gallbladder out March 2nd, and am not any better really. My gallbladder was not the main problem. Still nauseous daily, no appetite, a lot of weight loss, weakness, muscle pain and tremors, to name a few symptoms I'm having. I have been to several doctors, had a ton of tests ran, and still no diagnosis. Am seeing a rheumatologist next month, since one of my tests came back positive for high ANA, autoimmune disease marker. From being on these forums, it looks like a huge amount of people are having these same problems. It's scary! And looks like doctors do a poor job of diagnosing and treating us! 
    • tiffany_06078
      tiffany_06078 debbie75601

      Posted

      Jesus, that's terrible Debbie, I'm letting it all hang out and telling them all the gross weird and uncomfortable things I'm experiencing, I don't think my primary knows what they r doing!!! I know wtf it is yet, they r putting me through the ringer, never mind ur symptoms,we want a definitive scientific test result before we give u relief!! Ugggh, I'm so sorry ur still dealing with this, cuz I'm so done with this. Trying to hold onto my nanny job has been hard to: (
    • debbie75601
      debbie75601 tiffany_06078

      Posted

      I'm so sorry Tiffany. Just hoping there will be a light at the end of our tunnels. So tired of chasing a diagnosis. Keep me updated on your progress. 
    • tiffany_06078
      tiffany_06078 debbie75601

      Posted

      Debbie,

      Well my ct scan was "normal" on to the hida scan on Wednesday. Problem is, all these new things have started on my left side in my intestines,in fact I have a lump forming right where the pancreatic duct empties into the intestines...I have a feeling that my gallbladder has screwed up other areas of my insides,it's not just the right side anymore and I'm so fearful that I'm gonna be right where u are, this is only the beginning, but it helps having others to share in our misery. Hang in there and stay connected!

    • debbie75601
      debbie75601 tiffany_06078

      Posted

      Ugh, I'm so sorry! My issues were always left sided, still are! I notice my left rib pain is worse when I am constipated. I get bloating everyday, and I don't understand it. I'm sorry you didn't get an answer, hopefully the Hida scan will show something. We don't ever want a bad diagnosis, but at least a diagnosis would let us and the doctors know it's not in our heads, and we can get some relief. Let me know what happens with you, good luck! 
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